What to Expect During the Disability Application Process
The Social Security Administration has a program to provide assistance to people who meet their disability status, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
It is worth noting that at the time of your application you must present a great number of requirements. So, you must prepare to gather all the information and documents required to complete your application. To make this path easier, it is important that you know some basic concepts that will help you understand everything related to this process. Also, they are necessary to understand the wait during the application process.
Basic concepts that you should know about disability benefits
The Social Security Disability program provides benefits to you and some members of your family if you are insured. However, you must have completed the necessary work time recently, and have paid Social Security taxes based on your earnings.
Process for applying for disability benefits
You can apply for disability benefits online, by phone, or by going to a local Social Security office. Regardless of which way you choose, the application process is governed by a series of general steps:
Evaluate your situation: The Social Security Administration (SSA) will follow certain criteria to consider your medical condition as a disabling condition. This is because not everyone who has an illness is eligible to receive disability benefits. Therefore, for your condition to be viewed as a disability it must be related to an illness diagnosed by a doctor. It must last at least a year or it could cause death. As well as being an impairment to continuing in your current job or performing other jobs.
Gather information and documents: Determine what documents and what information or records you must gather for the application for disability benefits. You will need a lot of material as evidence of your disability, and you should have everything on hand when you submit your application. Documents Social Security may request include educational records, medical records, financial information, your doctor's contact information, and your work history.
Complete your application and submit: The application forms are usually very detailed. In fact, they can be a large number of pages and can take many hours to complete. For this reason, you must be prepared and have all the information and documents close to you before you begin. You can then submit your application through the Social Security website, by phone, and even in person.
Add other information: You may have completed the form and met all requirements. However, Social Security will likely request more documents and evidence. But it is not something to worry about since the goal is to be able to understand your situation in depth. So, carefully submit all the requested information.
After applying for disability benefits
The waiting time during the disability benefits application process may vary depending on the origin of the disability, the essential medical examinations and quality reviews that may apply. When Social Security receives your application, it is reviewed and they will contact you if you have questions. Additionally, they will likely request additional documents to continue the approval process.
However, while you wait to be approved for disability benefits you must:
Wait for a response to your request: Once the agency makes a decision about your case, they will let you know the decision in a letter sent by mail. Usually, there is a time of three to six months for a final decision. It is likely that when you submitted your application you included information about other members of your family. If so, you will be informed if there is a possibility that they may receive benefits under your registration.
Check the status of the application: You can check the status of the application online from your personal account “My Social Security”. Likewise, if you cannot verify online, you have the option of calling a Social Security hotline directly. This service is available from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Appeal the decision: You have the opportunity to appeal the decision made by the state agency about whether you are entitled to receive benefits or not. To do this, you must request your appeal in writing within 60 days after you receive the decision. The appeal is divided into four levels: reconsideration, hearing by an administrative law judge, review by the Appeals Council, and review by the Federal Court.
Decision on your application for disability benefits
Another point to take into account is that there are diseases considered “critical illnesses”. If you are facing any of these, such as terminal cancer, your application may move forward more quickly. You can also ask your doctor for a daily log of your symptoms to record your observations. This is valuable information for your medical record.
Once you've completed your application, it's time to wait for Social Security's decision. However, it is important that you fill out the forms correctly and a Fuentes & Fuentes can make sure of that. We can be your support at every stage of the application process to make the time invested worthwhile. You should remember that we do not charge fees until your disability benefits are approved.
Contact us right now and we will provide you with a personalized consultation of your case at whatever stage it is at.
